Pigalle
Significant others seem even more significant in certain settings. At Pigalle, for instance, where the smart and sweet service, delightful food, superb wines, and candlelit room all make the deep, chocolate-hued booths feel like a snuggly throne built for two. It may not be pure old-school Montmartre (the room is too elegant to evoke the rough-and-tumble neighborhood of its namesake, and Marc Orfaly's menu offers global treats like sweet hamachi alongside classics such as cassoulet), but the cumulative effect is magical, intoxicating, and French to the core. 75 Charles St. South, Boston, MA pigalleboston.com.
Grettacole
For silk-smooth skin minus the "ouch" factor, Grettacole aestheticians Monica, Meredith, or Katarina wax so quickly that you barely realize what's happening. Soothing music fills the air, and the women are experienced and sweet conversationalists—all the better to take the sting out of the experience. Copley Place, 10 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA .
Tangierino
Morocco could teach us all a thing or two about romance. At Tangierino, groups gather at intimate booths shrouded by gauzy curtains, while couples sit side by side on plush benches—no awkward tables to lean across here. Start with a sweet, phyllo-wrapped chicken b'stila and rich lamb tagine, then finish with a trip to the next-door hookah bar. Unless, of course, you're ready to move your date somewhere more private. 83 Main St., Charlestown, MA tangierino.com.
Saporito's Florence Club Café
Packed every weekend with straight-from-the-beach diners, this casual 14-booth Italian-Mediterranean outpost is as much about laid-back socializing as its menu is about great flavor. Locals lounge against the white lattice under the faux grape arbor, tucking into fresh-as-can-be tiger shrimp with truffle fettucine and cream sauce. Even better are the tender scallops with ricotta and asparagus ravioli. Factor in well-priced wines, and you've got one sweet slice of Florence on the South Shore. 11 Rockland Circle, Hull, MA saporitoscafe.com.
Square Cafe
What may be the South Shore's most fetching dining room (white tablecloths, cherry hardwood floors, plaid banquettes, soothing antique prints) now sports an equally alluring menu. Chef Andrea Schnell, an alumna of Duxbury's Windsor House, whips up newfangled, delectable New England favorites. The sweet, juicy tuna with chile vinaigrette alone is worth a visit. All's not perfect: The service here still needs work, and on some busy nights delivery can be slow. But between the convivial atmosphere and the pretty room, there's no better place to kill those extra minutes. 150 North St., Hingham, MA thesquarecafe.com.
Taylor Made
A Motown band with infectious energy. Sizzling R &B brings sweet sweat to the dance floors of Boston.
Sweet Cheeks
Tiffani Faison's barbecue temple has taken the smoky crown in this town four years running, and justifiably so. Those fussing over the heftier prices should note—her fall-apart ribs, crackly-skinned sausages, and mammoth slabs of brisket are sourced from the highest-quality purveyors. Meat aside, Sweet Cheeks is also the rare barbecue spot that welcomes vegetarian diners with sublime biscuits and one of the finest salads in town—a crunchy mash-up of farro, candied hazelnuts, Brussels sprouts, grapes, and arugula. 1381 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02215, sweetcheeksq.com.
Sweet Cheeks
Smoked meat, we've long held, is the great equalizer—the one cuisine practically everyone (vegetarians aside) can agree on. For proof, head to chef Tiffani Faison's tribute to Texas. You'll find families with toddlers, hipsters chugging Bud Light Lime, and camera-wielding tourists still buzzing about the Fenway tour—all with a huge grin accented by a smidgen of tangy sauce. The pulled pork is divine, and be sure to order a bucket of fluffy biscuits and a scoop of broccoli casserole. 1381 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2215, sweetcheeksq.com.
Sweet Stuff
Owner and window dresser Jack Jensen struts his stuff here. North Market Bldg., Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA .
Daryl Christopher Salon & Day Spa
There are different facials for every skin type. If yours is the type tat responds well to 90 minutes of lying naked between fresh sheets in a private room with candles and soothing music while someone gives your face a workout, the Guinot super hydradermic facial with eye treatment is for you. If you want pampering but you're acne-prone or the words "manual extraction" make you nervous, consider a pedicure instead. 37 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Danger Booth
When it comes to giving your guests custom photo keepsakes, it's best to think outside the box—or, in this case, the booth. Danger's open-air, freestanding unit (complete with a touchscreen, flash, and printer) can be as civilized or as crazy as you desire, with photo-fun experts on hand to hem a themed fabric backdrop, print out a step-and-repeat, or even hook you up with a designer for one-of-a-kind scenery. Move over, Instagram. thedangerbooth.com.
Sweet Cheeks
Anatomy of a Winner: Contained on a paper-lined tray (and scattered on the reclaimed wood table) is barbecue bliss, as follows. 1. A variety of house-made hot sauces lets you dress your meat as you please. 2. Fist-size biscuits are sinfully buttery and flaky. 3. Thirst-quenching cocktails come in a mason jar. 4. The crunchy "farm salad" provides welcome relief from the richness of the meat—and from the 5. cheesy, crumb-topped broccoli casserole. 6. The main event, the pork ribs, are smoky and tender. 7. Old-school accoutrements include pickles, shaved white onion, and squishy white bread, all of which balance the heat. 1381 Boylston St., Boston, MA sweetcheeksq.com.
Sweet Sis
Incredibly moist and fragrant was our consensus. And why is it that all of a sudden Newton has become a hotbed of culinary art? 1302 Washington St., West Newton, MA .
Sweet Cheeks
The meat’s still sweet—and smoky, and spicy—at Top Chef vet Tiffani Faison’s firstborn by Fenway, where the southern-inspired barbecue hasn’t suffered for the opening of her neighboring restaurant, Tiger Mama. Still lovingly tended to (kudos, chef de cuisine Dan Raia) are the metal trays of tender ribs, buckets of now-iconic honey-butter biscuits, and Mason-jar cocktails, best imbibed by the outdoor beer shed. Sweet mercy. 1381 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02215, sweetcheeksq.com.
Sweet Peppers
A superthin chewy crust that crunches even at the top of the wedge, and inspired flavor combinations, such as roasted eggplant and sundried tomato—now that's pizza! 20 Waltham Street, Lexington, MA .